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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Geiger (T-AP-197)

NRXEAwards, Citations and Campaign RibbonsPrecedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - National Defense Service Medal
Bottom Row - Vietnam Service Medal (1) - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Barrett Class Transport

Laid down as SS President Adams, a Maritime Commission type (P2-S1-DN3) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2915), 1 August 1949, for American President Lines at New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.

Launched, 9 October 1950

Renamed Geiger, 2 January 1951, while under conversion for the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS)

Acquired by the Navy, 13 September 1952; and placed in service as USNS Geiger (T-AP-197), the same day

During the Vietnam War USNS Geiger participated in the following campaign:

Vietnam War Campaign

Campaign and Dates

Vietnam Counteroffensive - Phase II 1 to 30 January 1967

Placed out of service, date unknown

Transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) 27 April 1971, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.

Roy Stanley Geiger, born 25 January 1885 in Middleburg, FL.., enlisted in the Marine Corps 2 November 1907 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant 5 February 1909. After serving with marine detachments in Wisconsin (BB-9) and Delaware (BB-28), he preceded in August 1912 to Nicaragua, where he participated in the bombardment, assault, and capture of Coyotepe and Barrancas. He then went to the Far East serving in the Philippines and Peking, China, where from 1913 to 1916 he was assigned to the American Legation. Returning to the United States in March 1916 for naval aviation training at Pensacola, he was designated a naval aviator in June 1917, the fifth flyer in Marine Corps history. He traveled to France in July 1918, commanded a squadron of the 1st Marine Aviation Force, and received the Navy Cross for distinguished service in leading bombing raids against the enemy. During the next two decades he was assigned a variety of duties, which included service in Haiti; Quantico, Va.; Washington, D.C.; and London, England. He assumed command of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in August 1941 and led the Wing at Guadalcanal from 3 September 1942 to 4 November. As commander of all Guadalcanal-based aircraft, he received a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for heavy losses that American planes inflicted upon the enemy, including 268 planes shot down and 28 ships sunk or damaged. He became Director of Marine Corps Aviation in May 1943; then he returned to the Solomons in November to command the I Marine Amphibious Corps at Bougainville. During 1944 he led the III Amphibious Corps in the capture of Guam and the Southern Palaus. He commanded this corps during the Okinawa campaign and also assumed command of the 10th Army 18 June following the death of Lieutenant General Buckner. From July 1945 to November 1946 he commanded Marine Force, Pacific Fleet. Then he returned to the United States for duty at Marine Corps Headquarters. While on active duty, Major General Geiger died 23 January 1947 at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of General by the 80th Congress.Photo: USMC History Division